The Wood Library-Museum

Record Syringe

Regional anesthesia numbs a specific part, or larger area, of the body. Hypodermic injections of local anesthetic were first described by the Austrian ophthalmologist, Dr. Karl Koller in 1884. But 19th Century syringes were unsatisfactory.

The Rekordspritze (Record Syringe) was introduced by the Berlin instrument maker, Dewitt & Herz, in 1906. It was one of the first glass and metal syringes constructed with a high level of quality and dependability. Fluids did not leak under the plunger, it did not jam, and the graduation marks were accurate indicators of volume. It was also easy to take apart and reassemble for sterilization. At a time when the use of both asepsis and regional anesthesia were rapidly increasing, the advantages of this design made it popular with dentists and physicians throughout Europe and the United States.

It was used for procedures such as intramuscular and intravenous injections, withdrawing blood from a patient’s vein, and for the administration of local and regional anesthesia.

The content on this Wood Library-Museum website reflects historical uses of objects and materials and may not reflect current medical practice. The content should not be relied upon in any manner as medical advice.